NORTHERN Territory released its 2025 Under 18 Girls Academy squad this week with the team preparing to host a Coates Talent League Girls match in Darwin, among a number of exciting features. The squad of 50 players has plenty of depth from talent not just in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) but also the Central Australian Football League (CAFL).

Palmerston Magpies provides a couple of past and current National Academy members in the unluckily overlooked Tatyana Perry (over-ager) and speedy Marika Carlton (top-ager). They are among nine Magpies in the squad, the third highest representation of any team.

That top gong belongs to Southern Districts with a whopping 12 players making the squad, headlined by Allies representative Eva Harris. St Mary’s (10 players) and Nightcliff (eight) are other heavy hitters within the squad, making a total of 39 out of 50 players from those four NTFL sides. Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn (St Mary’s is one name to remember), as is National Academy member and defender Danika McDonald who has impressed, hailing from Federal in the CAFL.

While there are plenty of familiar names to watch out for, Jorja Davey is a bottom-age prospect with fantastic family genes. The Palmerston teenager is the daughter of Russell Davey and sister of recent draft prospect Waylon Davey-Motlop. Also one for the future is Bella Foster, CAFL Rising Star winner out of Pioneer Eagles.

The 2025 Northern Territory Under 18 Girls Academy began training yesterday, with the Talent League Girls matches scheduled for late May and early June, including a home fixture in the Top End’s capital. Those fixtures will be released in the near future.